VGR Update

Voyager Golden Record - Artificial Intelligence Loops, Y5, Tutors: Prof. Laura Allen, Prof. Mark Smout In 1977 Voyager 1 and 2 were launched to explore space, each space probe carrying a gold-plated audio-visual disc: the Voyager Golden Record. In case of alien contact, this record carries a portrayal of life on earth in 116 photos. Conceived to endure 40.000 years in space, but outdated at the moment of its launch, the VGR can be seen as a time capsule, representing a key example for an attempt to conserve and communicate human heritage – therefore offering a unique case study to analyse and question this method of preservation. To generate an update, the pictures are reprocessed and analysed using artificial intelligence – the result raises questions about cultural misunderstanding and distorted realities – can a design be updated but the essence preserved?